Light fixture with removable glass panels

ABSTRACT

A light fixture in which the glass panels thereof are removable from the outside of the fixture. The fixture includes a base and a top joined by a plurality of upwardly extending cornerposts. The base includes panel-receiving channels which extend between the cornerposts and which are somewhat wider than the thickness of the panel. The bottom of each panel is received in a channel and the inner surface of the panel is held against retaining flanges on the cornerposts by a spring clip secured to the top of the fixture. The retaining flanges are spaced from the front wall of the channel a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the panel and the panel is held in a secure, substantially rattle-free condition by the spring clip. The cornerposts diverge upwardly and outwardly from the base, and when the spring clip is released, the weight of the panel causes the top of the panel to pivot outwardly away from the light fixture. The panel-receiving channel permits limited pivotal movement of the panel and holds the panel against further movement. The panel may then be readily lifted out of the channel.

United States Patent [72] lnventors Mellie E. Winters;

Perry E. Proctor. both of Wichita, Kans. [211 App]. No. 747,663 [22] Filed July 25,1968 [45] Patented June 29,1971 [73] Assignee The Coleman Company. Inc.

Wichita, Kans.

[54] LIGHT FIXTURE WITH REMOVABLE GLASS PANELS 13 Claims, 20 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 240/1L2;

240/1 1 .4, 240/25, 49/465 [51] lnt.Cl F2ll7/00, F211 15/00 [50] Field ofSearch 240/1 12. 11.4, 11,25, 147;49/463,464,465

[56] 1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,365,570 1/1968 Hansen 240/25 X 2,722,272 11/1955 Sprinkle 49/463 X 3,315,074 4/1967 Bugan et al. 240/147 3,365,571 1/1968 Koziol 240/1 1.2

3,411,242 11/1968 Robinson,.lr 49/463 X Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assisranl Examiner-Richard M. Sheer Attorney-Dawson, Tilton, Fallon & Lungmus flanges are spaced from the front wall of the channel a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the panel and the panel is held in a secure, substantially rattle-free condition by the spring clip. The cornerposts diverge upwardly and outwardly from the base, and when the spring clip is released, the weight of the panel causes the top of the panel to pivot outwardly away from the light fixture. The panel-receiving channel permits limited pivotal movement of the panel and holds the panel against further movement, The panel may then be readily lifted out of the channel.

LIGHT FIXTURE WITH REMOVABLE GLASS PANELS BACKGROUND This invention relates to light fixtures and finds particular utility in outdoor gas-type light fixtures which are commonly mounted on poles.

It will be appreciated that the interior surfaces of the glass panels of light fixtures frequently become dirty, especially if the light fixture is used outdoors, and it is desirable to be able to remove the glass panels readily from the fixture for cleaning. Easy removability of the glass panels is also desirable in the case of gaslights in order to replace the gas mantle, adjust the flame height, and the like. If the light fixture uses an electric bulb, the bulb must, of course, be periodically replaced. Further, a panel may occasionally become cracked or chipped and need-replacement.

In the past, access to the interior of the light fixture has generally been provided by a hinged door which carries one of the glass panels. However, opening the door will expose the interior surface of only one glass panel, and the interior surfaces of the other glass panels must be cleaned within the relatively cramped enclosure of the fixture. Further, the gaslight must generally be extinguished before the other panels are cleaned, or, if the light fixture is electric, the bulb must be removed.

In order to remedy some of these difficulties, lamps have been provided in which the door carries two adjacent light panels and opens along a diagonal of the fixture. While such a door will provide access to the interior surfaces of two light panels, the other light panels remain relatively inaccessible.

Some fixtures provide a panel which may be removed by first pushing the bottom ofthe panel upwardly and then grasping the panel and pulling it outwardly to remove it from the fixture. However, not only does such a fixture generally require the use of two hands to remove the panel, but such a procedure presents a hazard in that the person's hand may be cut by a sharp edge of the glass as the panel is being pushed upwardly. Further, since the panel is slidably received by the fixture, the somewhat loose panel may be rattled by wind, and the panel may even eventually become cracked.

SUMMARY Theinventive light fixture is provided with glass panels which are mounted within the fixture but which are readily removed from outside the fixture. The bottom of each panel is received in a channel on the fixture which is somewhat wider than the thickness of the panel and which permits the top of the panel to pivot outwardly away from the fixture when the retaining spring clip is disengaged from the top of the panel. When the spring clip engages the panel, the panel is held in a secure and rattle-free condition between the front wall of the channel and the cornerpost retaining flanges and between the spring clip and the retaining flanges. The panel may be readily removed merely by lifting the spring clip to disengage the panel. The top of the panel will pivot outwardly away from the fixture under its own weight and will be held after limited movement by the channel. The panel may then be lifted from the channel and away from the fixture. The panel may be just as readily inserted into the fixture by following the reverse procedure. The bottom of the panel is received by the channel, and the top of the panel is then pushed toward the spring clip until it is engaged thereby.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention is explained in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment illustrated in the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inventive light fixture;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the panel in the released position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of the fixture taken through a pair of comerposts and looking toward the base;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 2 showing the spring clip about to be disengaged from the panel;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the panel being pushed under the spring clip;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the fixture with the top and glass panels removed;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view of the fixture with the panel removed;

FIG. I1 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line ill-ll ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 12 isan enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. i3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIGS. 12 and 13 with the panel removed;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view ofa modified form of the light fixture having a decorative trim panel;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary elevational view of the light fixture of FIG. 15 with the trim panel and panel removed;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line 18-18 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2 taken along the line 19-19 of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 5 showing a modified spring clip and a modified decorative trim panel.

DESCRIPTION OFSPECIFIC EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I, the numeral designates generally a light fixture having a frame 26 mounted on a pole 27. The frame includes a base 28 and a top 29 which are joined by four comerposts 30 which diverge outwardly and upwardly from the base to the top to provide generally trapezoidally shaped panel openings 31. A trapezoidally shaped panel 32 of glass or other suitable material is received in each opening 31, and the panels, top, and base provide an enclosure for a suitable light source. In the particular embodiment illustrated an ordinary gas burner assembly 33 is mounted on the base 28 and supports a pair of catalytic gas mantles 34 which burn with an intense light. The gas burner assembly 33 is connected to a suitable gas source through the support pole 27, which can be mounted in the ground.

The base 28 includes a horizontal base plate 35 (FIGS. 4, 7, and 8) which is provided with upwardly extending sides 36. A generally frusto-pyramidal portion 37 is secured as by welding to the base plate 35 and is provided with an opening 38 in the bottom thereof which receives the pole 27. The periphery of the opening 38 defines notches 39 which extend radially outwardly from the pole 27 and tabs 40 which abut the outer surface of the pole and center the pole within the opening. The notches 39 permit air to enter the light fixture for combustion. The upper end of the pole is centered with respect to the frusto-pyramidal portion 37 and baseplate 35 by punch-out flanges 41 which are bent downwardly from the baseplate to provide air openings 42 therein. .A central opening 43 is also provided in the baseplate to receive and support the burner assembly 33. Before the frame 26 is placed over the top of the pole 27, a mesh screen 44 is positioned against the bottom of the baseplate to cover the openings 42 and to prevent insects from entering the light enclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the top 29 includes a frustopyramidal portion 45 which flares outwardly at the bottom thereof to provide eaves 46 which terminate in a downwardly extending flange 47. The top portion 45 may advantageously be formed in one piece by casting, and the top thereof includes the usual exhaust opening which is covered by the rain shield 48 spaced slightly upwardly from the roof portion and supported thereby by a suitable bracket. An ornamental knob 49 or the like may be mounted on the rain shield 48 if desired.

Extending downwardly from the frusto-pyramidal roof portion 45 are top sidewalls 50 which are removably secured to the roof portion 45 by outwardly extending attaching flanges 51 and screws 52 (see especially FIG. The screws pass through openings 53 in the flanges and threadedly engage the roof portion. Each of the four sidewalls are joined together by spot welding their respective flanges at the ends thereof as at 54 (FIG. 7). The lower end of each sidewall is offset inwardly to provide a shoulder 55 and a downwardly extending flange 56.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 10, and 11, the comerposts 30 are seen to be generally L-shaped in horizontal cross section and include a pair of generally right-angled legs 57 and 58 which are suitably secured, as by spot welding, to the sidewalls 50 of the top 29 and to the upwardly extending sidewalls 36 of the baseplate 35. The leg 57 of each cornerpost extends laterally into a panel-receiving opening 31 from the right side thereof as viewed from outside the fixture, and the leg 58 extends inwardly from the left side. Referring also to FIG. 4, the cornerposts 30 also include shoulder 59 extending inwardly from the leg 57 and a shoulder 60 extending inwardly from leg 58. The shoulders 59 and 60 extend from adjacent the upper edge of the sidewalls 36 of the base to adjacent the shoulder 55 of the top sidewall 50, and each of the shoulders 59 and 60 merge with a panel-retaining flange 61 and 62, respectively, which extends generally at right angles with respect to its associated shoulder into a panel-receiving opening 31.

As can be seen best in FIGS. 12-14 the base 28 includes a panel-supporting ledge 63 at the bottom of each of the panel openings 31. Each panel-supporting ledge 63 includes an attaching portion 64 which isspotwelded to the sidewall 36, an inwardly extending web portion 65, and a generally upwardly extending wall portion 66. The sidewall 36 and the panel-supporting ledge 63 provide the front and rear walls of a panelreceiving channel 67 which is seen to be somewhat wider than the thickness of the panel 17. The panel-retaining flanges 61 and 62 terminate slightly above, or level with, the upper edge of the sidewall 36 and are spaced inwardly therefrom a distance approximately equal to the panel thickness. The wall 66 of the panel-supporting ledge 63 may extend somewhat above the lower edge of the panel-retaining flanges and is spaced somewhat inwardly thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, a resilient spring clip 68 extends through a slot 69 provided in the shoulder 55 and flange 56 of each of the top sidewalls 50 and holds the panel 32 securely against the panel-retaining flanges 61 and 62 which extend upwardly along the sides of the panel openings 31. Each spring clip 68 includes a looped end 70 (FIG. 7) which is positioned above the flange opening 53 and secured by the screw 52 when the roof portion 45 is attached to the flanges 51. A generally V-shaped flexing portion 71 extends downwardly from the loop 70 and through the slot 69 to merge with a first generally U-shaped latching portion 72. A second U-shaped latching portion 73 is positioned above the first, and the spring clip terminates in a lever portion 74 which may include a looped end 75. The flexing portion 71 urges the latch portion 72 inwardly and downwardly against the outer surface of the panel 32 adjacent the top thereof and holds the panel securely against the panel-retaining flanges 61 and 62 and the panelsupporting ledge 63 to substantially prevent rattling of the panel even on windy days.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 12, the plane of the panelretaining flanges is spaced from the inner surface of the sidewall 36, which serves as the front wall of the channel 67, a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the panel 32, and the panel is securely retained therebetween. The bottom edge 32a of the panel is supported by the web 65 of the panelsupporting ledge, the inclined side edges 32b and 32c (FIG. 4) extend generally parallel with the cornerpost shoulders 59 and 60, respectively, and the upper edge 32d terminates just below the shoulder 55.

When it is desired to remove the panels from the fixture the lever portion 74 of the spring clip 68 is merely pushed upwardly to flex the V-shaped flexing portion and raise the latch portion 72 above the upper edge of the panel. As illustrated in FIG. 5, this can be done with one finger F, and the looped end 75 of the spring clip facilitates the disengaging of the latch from the panel. The outwardly and upwardly diverging cornerposts 30 hold the glass in an inclined position, and when the spring clip 68 is raised above the upper edge of the panel, the top of the panel will swing outwardly under its own weight into an unlatched position as illustrated in FIG. 3. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the panel pivots about the upper edge 36a of the sidewall 36 until the bottom edge of the panel engages the rear wall 66 of the panel-receiving channel 67. Although the wall 66 is spaced just slightly behind the panel-retaining flanges, the top edge of the panel swings in a substantially wide are away from the top of the light fixture because of the substantial distance between the pivot point and the top edge. The panel will move from the latched position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the unlatched position illustrated in FIG. 3 under the influence of gravity and will be retained in the unlatched position by the wall 66. The weight of the panel is supported by the sidewall 36 and the ledge 63, and the restraining force provided by the wall 66 provides a moment about the pivot 36a which equalizes the moment provided by the weight of the panel. The bottom edge of the panel travels a relatively short distance before it engages the wall portion 66 and the panel is brought to rest before sufficient momentum can build up which might damage the panel upon an abrupt stop.

When the panel is in the unlatched condition shown in FIG. 3, it may be readily lifted from the channel 67 and away from the light fixture. Thus, removing the panel is a simple two-step operation: the spring clip 68 is merely pushed upwardly to release the panel, the top of which automatically swings outwardly and is stopped in the unlatched position, and the panel may then be lifted from the panel-receiving channel. The removal of the panel can be accomplished with one hand, and the panel may be readily removed even by a person wearing gloves to protect himself from the edges of the panel and from the heat generated by the mantles. The one-handed operation of the inventive light fixture is particularly advantageous. If the panel-supporting frame of the light fixture is positioned well above ground and a ladder is needed toservice the fixture, the person servicing the light fixture can use one hand to steady himself on the ladder while the other hand removes the panels, or he may wish to hold a cleaning rag in the other hand which may be used to wipe each panel as it is removed.

The panel may also be easily latched into place with one hand. The panel is grasped adjacent the top thereof and the bottom edge of the panel is inserted into the channel 67 to be held in the unlatched position, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The upper edge of the panel is then pushed inwardly by the finger of one hand (FIG. 6). As the upper edge of the panel engages the U-shaped latching portion 72 of the spring clip 68, the latch portion is cammed upwardly to permit the upper edge of the panel to pass. As the side edges of the panel engage the panel-retaining flanges, thereby limiting further inward movement of the panel, the latch portion 72 of the spring clip moves downwardly to secure the panel.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, the flange 56 of each sidewall 50 of the top is positioned inwardly of the panelretaining flanges 61 and 62 and does not contact the panel. The flange 56 does extend below the upper edge of the panel, however, and, together with the panel-retaining flanges and the wall 66 of the panel-supporting ledge 63, gives an aesthetically pleasing appearance of a perimetrically extending frame which, although positioned behind or inwardly of the panel, makes the edges of the panel substantially unnoticeable. If desired, however, the side panel-retaining flanges 61 and 62 may be eliminated or positioned farther inwardly, and the spring clip 68 may hold the panel against the flange 56. In this case, some sort of spacer should be positioned near the bottom of each corner post which will hold the panel against the sidewall 36 when the panel is latched, but which will permit pivoting of the panel when the spring clip is disengaged.

The light fixture illustrated in FlGS. -20 include a decorative trim panel 76 which covers each panel 32 and provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance of a plurality of small panes. The trim panel 76 includes a bottom channel 77, top channel 78, and inclined side channels 79 and 80 which provide a generally trapezoidally shaped perimeter. Extending between bottom channel 77 and top channel 78 are divider channels 81.

The sidewall 36' of the base 28 is modified to include a finger 82 (FIGS. 17 and 18) which curves upwardly and inwardly from the top of the sidewall between the cornerposts 30. The longitudinal ends of the finger 82 are spaced from the cornerposts as at 83 and 84. The finger 82 positions the panel 32 inwardly of the inner surface of the sidewall 36' and permits a pair of attaching tabs 35 which extend downwardly from channel 77 to be inserted between the sidewall 36 and the panel.

The top of the trim panel 76 is held by the second latching portion 73 of the spring clip 68. The latch portion 73 of the spring clip extends through a slot 86 in top channel 78 and presses top wall 87 of the top channel against the sidewall 50 of the top. Bottom wall 88 of the top channel extends inwardly slightly farther than the top wall to engage panel 32 and secure the panel against the panel-retaining flanges 61 and 62. Advantageously, the spacing between the inner edge 82a of finger 82 and the panel-retaining flanges is about the same as the thickness of the panel 32, and the bottom of the panel is held against the panel-retaining flanges by both the finger 82 and top wall 89 of the bottom channel 77. Bottom wall 90 of the bottom channel terminates outwardly of the top wall 89 and provides the attaching tabs 85. Similarly, each of the side channels 79 and 80 of the trim panel include a relatively short wall 91 and 92, respectively, which engages the cornerposts 30 and a slightly longer wall 93 and 94, which extends inwardly to engage the panel 32, and the panel is perimetrically engaged adjacent its four edges by the channel walls 88, 89, 92 and 93.

The operation of the light fixture with the decorative trim panel is the same as the light fixture without the trim panel. When the lever portion 74 of the spring clip 68 is pushed upwardly to bend the flexing portion 71 and disengage the second latch portion 73 from the top channel 78 and the first latch portion 72 from the panel 32, both the decorative trim panel 76 and the panel 32 swing outwardly until the bottom edge of the panel engages the wall 66 of the panel-supporting ledge 63. The tabs 85 of the trim panel engages the panel 32 and further movement of the trim panel is also prevented. The panel pivots about the upper edge 82a of the finger 82, while the trim panel pivots about the upper edge of the sidewall 36'. The trim panel 76 and the panel 32 may then be lifted simultaneously from the channel 48, or first the trim panel and then the panel may be removed.

When the panel is to be inserted into the fixture, the reverse procedure is employed. The bottom edge of the panel is inserted into the channel 67, and the panel is supported by the wall 66 and the upper edge 82a of the finger 82. The attaching tabs 85 of the trim panel may then be inserted into the space between the panel and the sidewall 36', and the top channel 78 may be pushed inwardly until the spring clip 68 secures the trim panel and the panel in place. The latch portion 73 of the spring clip is rounded and will be cammed upwardly when engaged by the top channel. Alternatively, the panel may first be secured in place by the latch portion 72 before the tabs of trim panel are inserted into the fixture.

The light fixture illustrated in FIGS. 15 19 may be used with or without the decorative trim panel. If the trim panel is not used, the upper portion of the panel 32 is held against the flanges 61 and 62 by the first latching portion 72 of the spring clip, and the lower portion is held against the flanges by the finger 82 of the sidewall 36'. Further, the second U-shaped latch portion 73 may be omitted from the spring clip since it would not be needed to hold the trim panel.

The trim panel can be positioned on the fixture or removed I therefrom without affecting the secure hold on the panel 32.

The flexibility of the spring clip permits the second latch portion 73 to be cammed upwardly by the trim panel without disengaging the latch portion 72 from the glass panel. Similarly, the trim panel can be removed by raising theloop portion 75 enough to disengage the latch portion 73 from the trim panel but not enough to disengage the latch portion from the glass panel.

A modified form of a spring clip is illustrated in FIG. 20. The spring clip 95 is secured to the outside of the sidewall 50 of the top by a screw or rivet 96 and includes a flexing portion 97, a generally U-shaped latch portion 98, and a lever portion 99 terminating in a loop 100. As the panel 32 and trim panel 76 are pushed toward the clip 95, the top channel 78 engages the latch portion 98, pushing the latch portion upwardly and allowing the top channel to pass.

While in the foregoing specification, detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention were set forth for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that many of the details herein given may be varied considerably by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A lamp assembly comprising a frame having a base, a top, and a plurality of cornerposts extending between the base and the top for supporting the top, a panel having inner and outer surfaces and removably supported by said frame between two of said cornerposts, channel means on said base, said channel means providing a panel-receiving channel opening toward said top and having a width greater than the thickness of said panel, flange means on said frame for preventing inward movement of said panel, latch means on said top for releasably holding said panel against said flange means, said latch means including a resilient spring clip secured to the top and having a panel-engaging portion and a flexing portion, said panel-engaging portion bearing against the outer surface of the panel to securely hold the panel against the flange means, the flexing portion adapted to permit upward movement of said panel-engaging portion to release the panel, the bottom of said panel being received by said channel and pivotable therein when the latch means are released to swing the top of the panel away from the latch means.

2. A lamp assembly comprising a frame having a base, a top, and a plurality of cornerposts extending between the base and the top for supporting the top, a panel having inner and outer surfaces and removably supported by said frame between two of said cornerposts, channel means on said base, said channel means providing a panel-receiving channel opening toward said top and having a width greater than the thickness of said panel, flange means on said frame for preventing inward movement of said panel, a trim panel extending generally perimetrically about the panel and positioned outwardly of the panel, said trim panel including tab means received by the channel means, latch means on said top for releasably holding said trim panel and said panel, the bottom of the panel being received by said channel and pivotable therein when said latch means are released to swing the top of the panel and the top of the trim panel away from the latch means.

3. The lamp assembly of claim 2 wherein said trim panel includes a top, bottom, and opposite inclined sides, said tab means extending downwardly from said trim panel bottom, said latch means engaging said trim panel top, portions of said trim panel sides engaging the outer surface of said panel to prevent outward movement thereof.

4. The lamp assembly of claim 2 in which said channel means includes an outer wall, an inner wall and a bottom wall, the outer} wall having a bottom portion and a panel-engaging upper portion extending inwardly from the bottom portion along part of the length of the bottom portion whereby the panel is spaced rearwardly of the bottom portion of the outer wall, the tab means being inserted between the panel and the bottom portion of the outer wall.

5. A lamp assembly comprising a frame having a base, a top, and a plurality of cornerposts extending outwardly and upwardly from the base to the top for supporting the top, a generally trapezoidally shaped panel having inner and outer surfaces and removably supported by said frame between two of said cornerposts, said base including a panel-receiving channel having an outer wall and aninner wall and a web portion therebetween, said channel having a width greater than the thickness of said panel, the bottom edge of said panel being received by said channel and supported by said web portion, flange means on said frame engaging said panel inner surface and preventing inward movement of the panel, a generally trapezoidally shaped trim panel positioned outwardly of said panel, said trim panel having a top channel, a bottom channel, and opposite inclined side channels, tab means on said bottom channel extending downwardly therefrom and received by the panel-receiving channel, spring clip means on said top for releasably holding said trim panel against said panel and said panel against said flange means, the bottom edge of the panel being pivotable within said channel when said spring clip means are released to swing the top of the panel and the top of the trim panel away from the spring clip means.

6. The lamp assembly of claim 5, wherein said spring clip means engages the top channel of the trim panel to prevent outward movement of the trim panel.

7. The lamp assembly of claim wherein a portion of at least one of said trim panel channels engages the outer surface of said panel when said spring clip means engages said top channel.

8. The lamp assembly of claim 7 wherein said trim panel is interposed between said spring clip means and said panel, said spring clip means pressing said trim panel portion against the panel to hold the panel against the flange means.

9. The lamp assembly of claim 5 wherein said spring clip means includes a resilient spring clip having a panel-engaging portion, a trim-panel-engaging portion, and a flexing portion, said panel-engaging portion bearing against the outer surface of the panel to hold the panel against said flange means, said trim-panel-engaging portion bearing against the top channel of the trim panel to prevent outward movement thereof, said flexing portion adapted to permit upward movement of said panel-engaging portion and said trim-panel-engaging portion to permit outward movement of the panel and trim panel.

10. A lamp assembly comprising a frame having a base, a top, and a plurality of cornerposts extending outwardly and upwardly from the base to the top for supporting the top, a

panel having inner and outer surfaces and top, bottom and side edges removably supported by the frame between two of said cornerposts, each of said two cornerposts having a side edge terminating adjacent to and outwardly of a side edge of the panel, the top including a sidewall extending downwardly from the top between said two cornerposts and terminating in a bottom edge spaced slightly above the top edge of the panel, channel means on said base including an outer wall and an inner wall and a bottom wall, said outer wall and inner wall being spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said panel and forming a panel-receiving channel, the bottom edge of the top sidewall and the side edges of the said two cornerposts and the bottom wall of the channel defining a panelreceiving opening sized slightly larger than the panel, the bottom edge of the panel being received between the outer wall and inner wall of the channel and being supported by the bottom wall, flange means on the frame engaging said panel inner surface and preventing inward movement of the panel, latch means on the top extending downwardly below the bottom edge of the top sidewall into engagement with the panel for releasably h oldin the panel against the flange means in an inclined position mm the vertical whereby the panel is pivotable under its own weight about the outer wall when the latch means is released, the bottom of said panel being engageable with said inner wall after limited pivoting movement of the panel to halt further pivoting movement of the panel whereby the panel is maintained by the channel means in an angularly inclined position and may be removed from the frame by lifting the panel upwardly from the channel.

11. The lamp assembly of claim 10 in which the flange means includes an elongated flange extending downwardly behind the upper edge of the panel, the flange being offset inwardly from and secured to the bottom edge of the top sidewall by an inwardly extending shoulder.

142. The lamp assembly of claim 10 in which the flange means includes an elongated flange extending laterally behind each side edge of the panel, each flange being offset inwardly from and secured to the side edge of one of said two cornerposts byan inwardly extending shoulder.

13. The lamp assembly of claim 10 in which the flange means includes a first elongated flange extending downwardly behind the upper edge of the panel, the first flange being offset inwardly from and secured to the bottom edge of the top sidewall by an inwardly extending shoulder, a second elongated flange extending laterally behind one of the side edges of the panel and being offset inwardly from and secured to the side edge of one of said two cornerposts by an inwardly extending shoulder, and a third elongated flange extending laterally behind the other side edge of the panel being offset inwardly from and secured to the side edge of the other of said two cornerposts by an inwardly extending shoulder. 

1. A lamp assembly comprising a frame having a base, a top, and a plurality of cornerposts extending between the base and the top for supporting the top, a panel having inner and outer surfaces and removably supported by said frame between two of said cornerposts, channel means on said base, said channel means providing a panel-receiving channel opening toward said top and having a width greater than the thickness of said panel, flange means on said frame for preventing inward movement of said panel, latch means on said top for releasably holding said panel against said flange means, said latch means including a resilient spring clip secured to the top and having a panel-engaging portion and a flexing portion, said panel-engaging portion bearing against the outer surface of the panel to securely hold the panel against the flange means, the flexing portion adapted to permit upward movement of said panel-engaging portion to release the panel, the bottom of said panel being received by said channel and pivotable therein when the latch means are released to swing the top of the panel away from the latch means.
 2. A lamp assembly comprising a frame having a base, a top, and a plurality of cornerposts extending between the base and the top for supporting the top, a panel having inner and outer surfaces and removably supported by said frame between two of said cornerposts, channel means on said base, said channel means providing a panel-receiving channel opening toward said top and having a width greater than the thickness of said panel, flange means on said frame for preventing inward movement of said panel, a trim panel extending generally perimetrically about the panel and positioned outwardly of the panel, said trim panel including tab means received by the channel means, latch means on said top for releasably holding said trim panel and said panel, the bottom of the panel being received by said channel and pivotable therein when said latch means are released to swing the top of the panel and the top of the trim panel away from the latch means.
 3. The lamp assembly of claim 2 wherein said trim panel includes a top, bottom, and opposite inclined sides, said tab means extending downwardly from said trim panel bottom, said latch means engaging said trim panel top, portions of said trim panel sides engaging the outer surface of said panel to prevent outward movement thereof.
 4. The lamp assembly of claim 2 in which said channel means includes an outer wall, an inner wall and a bottom wall, the outer wall having a bottom portion and a panel-engaging upper portion extending inwardly from the bottom portion along part of the length of the bottom portion whereby the panel is spaced rearwardly of the bottom portion of the outer wall, the tab means being inserted between the panel and the bottom portion of the outer wall.
 5. A lamp assembly comprising a frame having a base, a top, and a plurality of cornerposts extending outwardly and upwardly from the base to the top for supporting the top, a generally trapezoidally shaped panel having inner and outer surfaces and removably supported by said frame between two of said cornerposts, said base including a panel-receiving channel having an outer wall and an inner wall and a web portion therebetween, said channel having a width greater than the thickness of said panel, the bottom edge of said panel being received by said channel and supported by said web portion, flange means on said frame engaging said panel inner surface and preventing inward movement of the panel, a generally trapezoidally shaped trim panel positioned outwardly of said panel, said trim panel having a top channel, a bottom channel, and opposite inclined side channels, tab means on said bottom channel extending downwardly therefrom and received by the panel-receiving channel, spring clip means on said top for releasably holding said trim panel against said panel and said panel against said flange means, the bottom edge of the panel being pivotable within said Channel when said spring clip means are released to swing the top of the panel and the top of the trim panel away from the spring clip means.
 6. The lamp assembly of claim 5, wherein said spring clip means engages the top channel of the trim panel to prevent outward movement of the trim panel.
 7. The lamp assembly of claim 5 wherein a portion of at least one of said trim panel channels engages the outer surface of said panel when said spring clip means engages said top channel.
 8. The lamp assembly of claim 7 wherein said trim panel is interposed between said spring clip means and said panel, said spring clip means pressing said trim panel portion against the panel to hold the panel against the flange means.
 9. The lamp assembly of claim 5 wherein said spring clip means includes a resilient spring clip having a panel-engaging portion, a trim-panel-engaging portion, and a flexing portion, said panel-engaging portion bearing against the outer surface of the panel to hold the panel against said flange means, said trim-panel-engaging portion bearing against the top channel of the trim panel to prevent outward movement thereof, said flexing portion adapted to permit upward movement of said panel-engaging portion and said trim-panel-engaging portion to permit outward movement of the panel and trim panel.
 10. A lamp assembly comprising a frame having a base, a top, and a plurality of cornerposts extending outwardly and upwardly from the base to the top for supporting the top, a panel having inner and outer surfaces and top, bottom and side edges removably supported by the frame between two of said cornerposts, each of said two cornerposts having a side edge terminating adjacent to and outwardly of a side edge of the panel, the top including a sidewall extending downwardly from the top between said two cornerposts and terminating in a bottom edge spaced slightly above the top edge of the panel, channel means on said base including an outer wall and an inner wall and a bottom wall, said outer wall and inner wall being spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said panel and forming a panel-receiving channel, the bottom edge of the top sidewall and the side edges of the said two cornerposts and the bottom wall of the channel defining a panel-receiving opening sized slightly larger than the panel, the bottom edge of the panel being received between the outer wall and inner wall of the channel and being supported by the bottom wall, flange means on the frame engaging said panel inner surface and preventing inward movement of the panel, latch means on the top extending downwardly below the bottom edge of the top sidewall into engagement with the panel for releasably holding the panel against the flange means in an inclined position from the vertical whereby the panel is pivotable under its own weight about the outer wall when the latch means is released, the bottom of said panel being engageable with said inner wall after limited pivoting movement of the panel to halt further pivoting movement of the panel whereby the panel is maintained by the channel means in an angularly inclined position and may be removed from the frame by lifting the panel upwardly from the channel.
 11. The lamp assembly of claim 10 in which the flange means includes an elongated flange extending downwardly behind the upper edge of the panel, the flange being offset inwardly from and secured to the bottom edge of the top sidewall by an inwardly extending shoulder.
 12. The lamp assembly of claim 10 in which the flange means includes an elongated flange extending laterally behind each side edge of the panel, each flange being offset inwardly from and secured to the side edge of one of said two cornerposts by an inwardly extending shoulder.
 13. The lamp assembly of claim 10 in which the flange means includes a first elongated flange extending downwardly behind the upper edge of the panel, the first flange being offset inwardly from and secured to the bottom edge of the top sidewall by an iNwardly extending shoulder, a second elongated flange extending laterally behind one of the side edges of the panel and being offset inwardly from and secured to the side edge of one of said two cornerposts by an inwardly extending shoulder, and a third elongated flange extending laterally behind the other side edge of the panel being offset inwardly from and secured to the side edge of the other of said two cornerposts by an inwardly extending shoulder. 